It's time for my Friday link up with A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals.
On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.
Hello and ohmygoodnessitisNovember. What in the world? I was in a shoe store on Tuesday and they were playing Christmas music. Really loud Christmas music. To be honest, it made me a little rage-y which I’ll admit is weird for a person who is super-thankful and really ecstatic that Jesus was born and all, but can we just pump the brakes please, DSW?
Speaking of shopping, last weekend was chock full of it because Steve and I met Kyle and his girlfriend, Merrill in Knoxville for a few days. We had the best time and Merrill and I spent a lot of time shopping while the guys played golf on Saturday afternoon. It was as delightful as it always is to shop with Merrill. To be honest, it still surprises me to get a chance to shop with a person who doesn’t act like asking one to run into a Nordstrom Rack is basically the same thing as asking one to join me in a having a root canal.
Here are some other favorite things from the week.
World Market Mini Candles
I haven’t been to World Market in forever, but Merrill and I stopped in there on Saturday and I had forgotten how many fun gift ideas they have. These mini candles are 3 for $12 which my genius math brain tells me is only $4 a candle. These are a great little stocking stuffer or hostess gift. My favorite is the Golden Amber and Pine scent.
2. World Market Multi Color Floral PJ Pants
Another great find from World Market that made its way into my shopping bag was this pair of pajama pants. They are so pretty and very lightweight so if you sleep hot like I do, they won’t make you want to rip them off and throw them in the trash in the middle of the night.
3.Pretty Garden Sleeveless Sweater Tank
If you’re looking for a basic tank to wear under blazers and sweaters that is a bit dressier than your favorite $8 ribbed tank from Target, this sleeveless sweater tank is great. It comes in just about any color you might need and the fabric is structured, but lightweight. Perfect for those days when you suddenly get so hot you feel the need to rip off your blazer/sweater and throw it in the trash in the middle of a meeting with your co-workers. (I’m not sure if you’re sensing a pattern here, but your girl is running a bit hot lately.)
4.Noel Earrings
These are the prettiest delicate drop studs that just came out this week in Park Lane’s newest holiday collection. If you like simple jewelry and want to add some extra sparkle to your holiday style without breaking the bank, these earrings are perfect at only $50.
5.Some Thoughts on Mercy
I’ve been thinking a lot about this verse this week. It’s not new news that our citizens don't seem too big on giving mercy lately. We are much more likely to shame, judge, condemn, correct, and then invite a whole mess of people to join us in our shaming, judging, correcting, and condemning. Giving someone the benefit of the doubt is rare. Giving mercy? Practically non-existent.
I suppose being outraged and critical serves me, at least initially. If I’m busy searching out specks in everyone else's eyes, I am way less likely to have the time to notice the plank in mine. There have been times in my life that I’ve been offended or disrespected. Sometimes unintentionally and sometimes, maybe not so unintentionally. And I’ll admit, that if I can make a snarky comment or get someone else to agree that my offense is justified, I can feel pretty high and mighty. High and mighty never lasts long though. Soon enough, gravity takes over and I fall all the way down from my high horse.
Any satisfaction I felt by tallying up the sins of others disappears, only to be replaced by sadness, anger, isolation, and bitterness. In the end, my self-righteousness is no match for Christ’s righteousness. And it doesn’t bring me gratification or contentment, comfort or peace. It only leaves me in a puddle of guilt and shame.
In other words, no mercy given? No mercy received.
For me, giving mercy means understanding one of the most important truths of the Gospel. I am the one who has sinned. I am the one who has offended. I am the one who has disrespected. I am the ruthless soldier, the mocking crowd, the betrayer and the denier. And unbelievably and inexplicably, I am the one who has been shown mercy by a God who has every right to punish me.
When I recognize this truth, it is easier to give mercy. And when I do, my fists unclench. My breath comes easier. My shoulders relax. I am liberated both from the need to shame someone else and from feeling shamed myself. There is peace and calm. In essence, giving mercy and receiving mercy feels a whole lot like freedom.
Have a good weekend, Friends.
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